H/L Restoration?

[gt_repair]

Is there anyone on this forum that is doing headlight restoration? And what system or systems are you using?

I'm personally use the GT micro disc's for my sanding as per using standard sanding discs. I am also using the Matebo 400 for my sander / polisher.

I am using the Dvelup yellow-X, polish compound and 2 part sealer. I will use the white foam polishing pads to apply the polish compound

To keep them looking new after I leave, I have my customers polish their lights every 2 - 3 months. Before the end of the day or the very next day I will come back to put a coat of polish on their lights to make sure they have been done and to show them how I would like them to coat them. I will leave them with a starter bottle of MOTHERS WAX.

I just bought a case of 4 oz sample bottles of MOTHERS polish wax with Carnauba wax to keep them sealed out here in southern AZ. It is kinda like given them something extra for their money. With shipping it only cost me 1.50.

Good PR.

I hope this helps others or gets other into doing H/L's

What are you guys doing?

[CK Repair]

gt,

I was thinking about adding H/L to my services, but I had a few questions.

1. How long does it take to do the restoration?
2. Do you charge the customer depending on the type of H/L or how bad the condition of the H/L?
3. If not do you have a set price?
4. Do you market the H/L business, the same as the WSR?
5. How would you warranty it?

Thanks,

CK

[gt_repair]

gt,

I was thinking about adding H/L to my services, but I had a few questions.

1. How long does it take to do the restoration?
2. Do you charge the customer depending on the type of H/L or how bad the condition of the H/L?
3. If not do you have a set price?
4. Do you market the H/L business, the same as the WSR?
5. How would you warranty it?

Thanks,

CK




CK
I am going to answer in the order asked. and this is ONLY my way, I hope others will also respond.

1: I normally do a set in 45 - 1hr. Some say I am slow, But I feel I do a descent job and I do take my time...

2: I charge based on size and how bad the lights are. I base it on how long I think it will take to do a set. If they look verry bad keep the price high for your time. If they are just hazed and can be done in a faster time frame adjust your price. You can always start high and if you get done sooner that you thought past the savings off the the customer, They like that part. Again PR

3: refer to #2

4: The headlights gets looked at as I show up to do W/S repairs and offer it at that time as something to think about with a flyer. I will get a call 75% of the time to come a do their lights as they get the money...
I also have it lined up a two service center car lots and they keep me happy. I did one of the service advisers cars for free, (PR again) and he gets all the customers he can to restore there lights while they have the car.... Service makes money and I make money...

5: I tell them they SHOULD last 3 years IF they take care of the lights the way I tell them.... I am going to redo a set for one customer because they failed to do as I asked.

It is worth getting into H/L Restoring If you have the pride to do it...

Side note:
If you are in it for a quick buck and don't care what they look like, or you saw a short cut way on the internet that is cheeper. Then do not ruen your good rep for a quick buck...

Buy a proven system on the market. Again, I like both GT poly hog and Dvelup.

I hope this helps. any other Q's You can PM me or post for every one to see.

[CK Repair]

Don,

I really appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge on this and other posts I have read. I just started my business this year and really enjoy it. I do scratch removal and WSR.

I was at the NWRA conference last month in Vegas; and there was a person that I was talking to about my business and he asked if I did H/L restoration. I never thought about it because I didn't think that it would be that profitable for me. He informed me that I should think about doing it because the cost of replacing H/L was expensive and I should really look into it. I am glad that I did.

BTW I live in Hawaii, and as you know everything in Hawaii cost much more than on the Mainland because everything has to be shipped here; so if you don't mind what is your approximate starting cost for H/L restoration? I just need a starting point and I will understand if you do not give me a price, just thought I would ask.

I have GT's scratch hog and Maxim, but what is Dvelup?

Do you use the same materials and procedures for acrylic and glass H/L?

Thanks,

CK

[gt_repair]

most of your Q's are also in your PM and I will replay to that also.

The headlight and scratch repair are not the same.

The Matebo 400 is a right angle orbital polisher sander.
http://www.tools-plus.com/metabo-sxe400.html?utm_medium=shopeng&utm_source=pricegrabber&utm_term=METSXE400

[gt_repair]

No body else does headlight restoration?

come on folks, You want something to talk about that is worth talking about, here is your chance....

[gt_repair]

CK Repair

Did you receive your parts for H/L restoring yet?

[CK Repair]

gt,

I received the kit from Dvelup. After I confirmed my order through their website, they tried to charge me $22.00 more for shipping. I sent them an email telling them that I felt like they were trying to rip me off, by charging me after everything was confirmed; and that they should check the shipping on their website. Later they replied that I don't have to pay the additional shipping charges and they will check their shipping info.

I am still waiting for my Metabo SXE400 from Tools plus. It's been over a week since they shiped it. It's coming to Hawaii from Conneticut so I guess it takes longer than usual, but they are trying to track it down.

I have been so busy gettign my business organized that I did not get a chance to place my order with GT, but I will do it this week. GT is really good on shipping so I am not worried about getting my order quickly.

On a side note, we've been getting our winter weather here so it's was getting colder.....it was 65 degrees last night; I almost had to put on socks and my thermal underware......Just kidding.

You have a safe Christmas.

[gt_repair]

We got down to 23 the other nite in Southern AZ.... To damn cold for me.
That storm that went through Cal. gave us 40 mph winds and only 50 deg. I stayed on the computer the whole day... Not for me, Sorry...

[ray6]

Is there anyone on this forum that is doing headlight restoration? And what system or systems are you using?
We manufacture and sell a system called Brite Lites. It is a two part system; remove the origional damaged protective coating with a chemical stripper, then apply a new protective coating. The new coating is similar to the origional applied to the headlight during manufacture. We do not use any power tools (so no masking) and seldom have to sand. Our dealers warrant the restoration for 2 years.

I will come back to put a coat of polish on their lights to make sure they have been done and to show them how I would like them to coat them. I will leave them with a starter bottle of MOTHERS WAX.
Why do you need to polish if you have applied a new protective coat? I thought the Dvelup system used a hard, protective coating.

I just bought a case of 4 oz sample bottles of MOTHERS polish wax with Carnauba wax to keep them sealed out here in southern AZ. It is kinda like given them something extra for their money. With shipping it only cost me 1.50.

Good PR.

I hope this helps others or gets other into doing H/L's

What are you guys doing?

We manufacture and sell a system. It is a two part system; remove the origional damaged protective coating with a chemical stripper, then apply a new protective coating. The new coating is similar to the origional applied to the headlight during manufacture. Our dealers warrant the restoration for 2 years.

[zerolando]

now that you are at it..

It seems to me that Headlight restoration kits only restore headlights from fogginess and discoloration and the like.. Are there no products to repair cracks in headlights yet ? :)
thanks

[zerolando]

you mean kits that fix damage due to pebbles hitting the headlights?

[gt_repair]

The kits or systems that restore H/L's will remove and or restore the oxy haze and the bad clear coat that has been applied to the lights from the manufacture. But they will not fix the cracked lens.

I have used some Plexiglass glue for making things that wick into the cracks, I am wondering if that may fix some of the cracked lenses..

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic?search=plexiglass+glue

Just a thought.